AN ELECTRIC CAR THAT RUNS ON SOLAR ENERGY TO HIT THE ROAD

A Dutch startup has just unveiled its production-ready solar car. The Lightyear 0, referring to its zero CO2 emissions, has an on-board battery but will use integrated solar panels to provide the majority of its fuelling. According to the company, with an average daily commute of 35 kilometres, owners could go up to two months without having to plug in under cloudy climates and even close to seven months in sunnier latitudes. With a solar charging capacity of 1.05 kW, the car can recuperate 10 km per hour for a maximum of 70 km per day. When plugged in, it gains more than 30 km on a domestic socket and 520 km on a fast charge in barely an hour.

In addition to its estimated range of 625 km, according to the European WLTP test cycle, the four-door sedan has a drag coefficient of less than 0.20, thanks in part to the use of cameras instead of exterior mirrors.

The initial 946 units are priced at 250,000 euros, or more than $340,000 Canadian. Produced by the Finnish company Valmet Automotive, formerly Saab-Valnet, which used to assemble Porsche Boxster and Cayenne as well as some Mercedes, the Lightyear 0 is expected to hit European roads in November.